An actor and animal welfare organization founder from Acton has been arrested on a federal charge of attempted kidnapping, according to the Justice Department. Leo Grillo, 77, who leads Dedication and Everlasting Love to Animals (DELTA) Rescue, is accused of plotting to kidnap a former employee who had previously won a $6.7 million wrongful-termination judgment against him.
Grillo was taken into custody on Tuesday and is scheduled for an initial court appearance in downtown Los Angeles. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Court documents state that DELTA Rescue claims to be the largest no-kill animal sanctuary of its kind globally. In November 2024, a jury awarded the victim $6,680,950 after finding DELTA Rescue liable for wrongful termination and other legal claims. The organization filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2025 and is appealing the judgment.
According to an affidavit, Grillo met with an individual in December 2025 to discuss both the litigation and making a documentary targeting his liability insurance company. He asked this person—who was cooperating with law enforcement without Grillo’s knowledge—to use contacts in Mexico to gather information about the plaintiff.
In January 2026, Grillo reportedly discussed in coded language plans for a “documentary” that involved kidnapping the woman who had prevailed at trial along with a family member. He allegedly offered $100,000 for their abduction and said he wanted them flown out of Lancaster.
The following month, Grillo sent a $20,000 check labeled “Production” as part of his coded communication regarding the plot. On March 3, during another meeting in Burbank, the cooperating individual showed Grillo a staged photograph depicting what appeared to be the victim and another person restrained. Grillo then provided another $10,000 check to advance the plan.
“A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court,” according to authorities.
The FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating. Prosecutors include Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler from the Major Crimes Section as well as Kevin B. Reidy and Haoxiaohan H. Cai from the Major Frauds Section.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California supports community outreach through programs focused on victim assistance and public education (official website). The office serves more than 19 million residents across seven counties (official website) and handles both federal criminal prosecutions and civil matters for the government (official website). E. Martin Estrada has served as United States Attorney for this district (official website), which works with law enforcement partners at all levels to ensure public safety (official website).
